Easy Keto Lemon Cookie Bars with Collagen

These keto lemon cookie bars are the perfect way to celebrate spring! This combination created the perfect low carb cookie base by using butter and oil. Then, some lemon juice, lemon zest and some sweetener, these keto cookie bars came out of the oven with a definitely smell of spring!

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Keto Cookie Bars or are these Keto Lemon Blondies?!!

I debated whether to call these bars blondies or cookies...and what I realized after baking 5 different batches, I realized that it all depends on how long you bake the bars!

If you slightly underbake the bars, you will end up with the texture of keto lemon blondies but if you bake the bars a little longer, they end up tasting more like a sugar-free lemon cookie bar!

Like these Gooey Keto Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie Bars or these Easy Keto Cowboy Cookie Bars - (which were adapted from the Popular NY Times Recipe), call them blondies or cookie bars, they all taste delicious!

So, get your mixing bowl out and melt some butter and oil, whisk in some sweetener, cream cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, an egg and some almond flour, and these keto lemon cookie bars (or blondies!!!) are baked to lemony perfection!

Bring on the Lemons!

Did you know that consuming lemon juice has several health benefits? As it turns out, lemons are not only high in Vitamin C but are also a good source of fiber AND antioxidants.

Lemons are also being studied for aiding in weight loss and reducing your risk of heart disease, anemia, kidney stones, digestive issues, and cancer.

The trick to getting the most lemon flavour

Have you ever tried making a lemon recipe that just didn't have the "smack-you-down" citrus flavour?

Well, there is a trick to creating the most lemon-forward flavour with just a few tricks.

First, make sure that you use ripe lemons. Just like a ripe banana has so much more flavour then an unripe banana, lemons are the same.

Secondly, you can NOT skip the lemon zest! Not only does the lemon zest pack a punch of flavour, but the zest also contains essential oils that add an extra layer of flavour. The smaller the zester, the more the flavour will get disturbed and the greater the citrus flavour

What about the pith?

The lemon pith is the antithesis of the delicious lemon juice. Lemon pith is the white layer that lies between the skin of the lemon and the actual fruit. If you zest some lemon pith into your zest, you will end up with a bitter flavour.

Steps for making keto lemon cookie bars

Now that we are educated, let's make these sugar-free lemon cookie bars!

Step 1 - Get your lemons ready

• zest the outside of a large lemon
• slice the lemon in half and squeeze the juice from the lemon

Step 2 - Whisk together the wet ingredients

• Whisk together the melted butter, cream cheese, oil, egg, vanilla, lemon juice, lemon zest and vanilla extract

Step 3 - Whisk in the dry ingredients

• whisk in the almond flour, marine collagen, flaxseed meal (if using), baking soda and salt.

Step 4 - Bake

• Bake for 20-25 minutes (for blondies) and 25-30 minutes for cookie bars

What's the deal when it comes to lemons reacting to metal?

When baking lemon desserts which contain a high amount of acid, you should be mindful of the type of mixing and baking dish you are using. Acidic ingredients can react with certain metals, affecting the flavor of the dish and potentially damaging your bakeware.

• Aluminum: This metal reacts with acidic ingredients like lemon juice, which can give your dessert a metallic taste and cause discoloration. It’s best to avoid using raw or uncoated aluminum when baking lemon-based desserts.
• Copper: Similar to aluminum, copper can also react with acidic foods. However, if it's lined with a non-reactive material like stainless steel or tin, it's safe to use.
• Stainless Steel: This is non-reactive, so it's safe for use with acidic ingredients. Stainless steel bakeware or mixing bowls won't alter the flavor of your lemon desserts.
• Nonstick or Enameled Bakeware: These are generally safe as long as the coating is intact, as the acid won't come into contact with the metal underneath.
• Glass and Ceramic: These materials are also great alternatives, as they don’t react with acidic foods.

Depending on which bakeware you use, make sure you check your bars at the 20 minute mark. Different bakeware comes in a variety of thickness and will heat differently so don't hesitate to take a quick peak!

Why am I not getting much flavour from the lemon zest?

One of the most common reason of not getting the intense lemon flavour from lemon zest is that the lemon may contain a wax coating.

Many lemons sold in grocery stores, especially if they're not labelled as organic, often have a wax coating. This coating helps preserve the fruit by sealing in moisture and extending its shelf life. The wax can come from natural sources (such as beeswax or carnauba wax) or synthetic ones. While the wax is generally considered safe for consumption, you may want to remove it if you're using the lemon zest in cooking or baking.

To remove the wax coating, simply submerge the lemon in hot (not boiling!) water for 10-15 seconds. Then, use a clean vegetable brush or scrubber to gently scrub the surface of the lemon. Rinse the lemon under cool water and dry it with a clean towel.

Marine Collagen - What is it and which brand is best?

Marine Collagen is a dietary supplement designed to be added to coffee, tea, baked goods, or other beverages, providing both flavor and a boost of collagen protein. Collagen is a vital protein in the body that supports skin elasticity, joint health, and connective tissues. As people age, collagen production decreases, leading to wrinkles, joint discomfort, and other signs of aging.

When it comes to the difference between marine collagen and bovine collagen peptides, from all the research I have done, the only main difference is in the bioavailability. Marine collagen is more bioavailable then collagen peptides so it more readily absorbed. Since marine collagen is sourced only from fish, it makes it slightly more expensive then bovine collagen. If you only have bovine collagen, you can replace it with the marine collagen in the recipe card.

So, which brand is the cleanest?

Hands down, Naked Nutrition Marine Collagen is the best. Not only is it flavourless (believe me when I tell you that their are certain brands of collagen that taste absolutely horrific!!) but it also dissolves really well which makes it easy to add to my morning cup-of-joe!

Collagen Lemon Bars - Blondies versus Cookie Bars

I have made these collagen lemon bars so many times that I know the recipe by heart!

If you want to have a slightly more like a traditional lemon bar with a more gooey and creamy center, then do NOT add any flaxseed meal. Not only does the flaxseed meal slightly darkens the bars (due to the brown colour of the flaxseed) but also results in a less gooey and more dense lemon cookie bar.

Either way, these bars are delicious but I took a picture of both so you can see the difference!

More Keto Cookie Bar Recipes

Here are some more delicious keto cookie bar recipes that you have got to try!

• Gooey Keto Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie Bars
• Healthy Protein Collagen Peanut Butter Cereal Bars - Keto, Low Carb
• Easy Keto Cowboy Cookie Bars - Adapted from the Popular NY Times Recipe
• Easy Keto Shortbread Nut and Seed Bars with Chocolate Drizzle

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